The Hubert and Doris Meier Story

As a life-long farmer, Hubert Meier knew the toils and struggles that came with working the land. He grew up on the family farm and lived through the Great Depression. He found great joy in working God’s land and harvesting a bountiful crop. He also knew the heartbreak of seeing a bountiful crop be destroyed by bad weather. He knew that farming was more than just planting seeds. He believed that bringing those seeds to the harvest barn was a gift from God. Hubert and his wife, Doris, were faithful members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Galena in rural Ormsby. Devotions with their children, Bonnie Ann and Dennis, was something that was done every day. Both Hubert and Doris were very humble about their faith and their giving. They were very mission-minded and gave generously to support God’s ministries during their life-time. But the Meiers wanted to give to their favorite ministries beyond their lifetime. Hubert and Doris met with a Gift Planner from the LCMS Foundation who helped them explore the opportunities available. Wanting their children’s support, they included Bonnie Ann and Dennis in the process. Doris named Martin Luther High School as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy. When she passed away MLHS received this large gift which strengthened the ministry and came at an opportune time. They also purchased a two-life Gift Annuity from the LCMS Foundation. It provided them with a steady income for life and gave them an immediate (and welcome) tax-deduction. In 2006 they were in the process of setting up a permanent endowment fund but, before it could be completed, both Doris and Hubert went to their heavenly home. Their generous gift planning benefited six Lutheran ministries that they loved. For several years after their deaths, substantial gifts went to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Galena; Lutheran Bible Translators; The Lutheran Hour; LCMS Ministry to Armed Forces; Campus Lutheran Chapel-MN State University, Mankato; & Martin Luther High School. “I was grateful to be involved in my parents’ Gift Planning,” says Bonnie Ann. “The whole family felt so good about setting this plan up. My parents were very humble and private about their giving. But now that they are in their heavenly home, I feel that their story can be told to inspire others to emulate their generosity. Mom and Dad used what God richly blessed them with in a very special way to tell His story to the world. You don’t have to travel to a foreign country to be missional—the mission field begins right where we are.”